Manila school gets construction update

Following the approval of the minutes and financial report Manila School Board members heard a construction update from Adam Seiter, senior project manager for NABHOLZ Construction Service.

Seiter gave the board members handouts outlining the progress of the new Justin Veach Elementary building for K-4 and the cafeteria expansion project.

Seiter said due to weather delays and a few complications, the completion date might be in September.

"I've instructed my subcontractors and crew to do our best to pull it back," he said. "I am an honest person and I want to make the district aware of everything that is going on. We are going to try our best to get the project back on schedule and get the date pushed back as close to the start of school as possible, but I had to get you all thinking in the direction of September.

"We will have meetings every week. We have a good group of subs lined up and we are pulling together now."

They discussed the cafeteria/kitchen expansion. Seiter said they have a good superintendent coming in for the project and realize the kitchen has to be up and running by Aug. 12. He said the dining and stage area may not be completed until the last of September or beginning of October.

Superintendent Pam Castor and board members expressed their concern about the delay in the completion.

"Part of our reason for choosing NABHOLZ over the other companies was their ability to turn the job around and get it done on time," Castor said. "They told us they had enough manpower to pull in and get things back on track if delays occurred."

Board president Tony Crowell said he did not like already giving the subcontractors an out by saying the project will not be finished on time.

"I don't like to go into the summer already pushing it back," Crowell said. "They need to know September is not okay."

Board member Tracey Reinhart suggested bringing in more help and Jackie Hill suggested working more hours.

Board member Danny Robbins said one of the company's selling points was getting the job done on time.

"I don't want any stone unturned," Robbins said.

"We are aware of the problems you have had with the weather," Board member Brandon Veach said. "We have a lot of rain."

Seiter said he needed to get the school thinking in that direction but he will go back and talk to his subcontractors and redo schedules.

"I will come up with the most aggressive schedule I can," he said. "You will be seeing more people."

Following an executive session, the board voted to hire Trent Floyd as high school social studies teacher and coach and Brett Shrable as middle school teacher and coach.

The board agreed to allow the superintendent to delegate authority to hire a technology assistant for up to 10 hours a week on a as needed basis.

In other business:

*The board approved the 2011-12 proposed budget and classified salaries and stipends for the 2010-11 school year.

*Castor told the board they are reviewing Benchmark and end-of-course scores. The building levels did well. The combined population scores look good. The teachers and students did a great job.

*The board approved the pre-bid expenditure of $13,903 for Phonetic Connection kits. The kits are part of Manila's K-2 literacy program. The expenditure will come out of next fiscal year's budget.

*The board also approved using ABC funds to purchase of new playground equipment at a cost of $12,934.70.

*The board approved the cafeteria expansion project at $615,940.

*The board approved the kitchen equipment bid from Supreme Fixtures for $254,030. Castor said the old equipment will be disposed of in the proper manner.

The next regular board meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 15.